Fake Aquarium Windows in Salon - need to access

Really didn't know where to post this, so I apologize for any redundancy.

1996 450 Sundancer here, has 2 fake "aquarium" panels in the salon where most boats have mirrors.

These are illuminated with a rope light, goes all around the edges of these panels.

My rope light has become yellow with age, and needs to be replaced with a new LED setup.

Problem is I have no idea how to gain access. I removed the panels in the cabinets above, and also removed the seat backs on the long couch below, but no joy.

Here's a couple of photos of a boat I looked at last fall where the owner had replaced the lights, so I do know it's possible, just have NO IDEA how to gain access.

Anyone been there, done this ?

Photos of that boat follow below:

The panel is probably held on with xmas tree fasteners. Get a small flat pry bar behind one of the corners and see if it'll pull away from the wall.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1319854730...HcjsIXy9IQsW2dJm8ru5BjzWu017DriBoCo8kQAvD_BwE

That's what I thought, so I grabbed the center portion, between the openings and pulled as hard as I could and was unable to budge that panel.

I am hoping someone has more knowledge than I or has been there ahead of me and can share.....

RWS

UPDATE WITH PHOTOS:



The factory rope lights had turned yellow with age, I mean REALLY YELLOW - almost like watered down pee.

Not attractive at all.

This is a large, heavy panel, however the aquarium lights (or mirrors) are sandwiched in and attached to a plywood panel is attached from the back side with phillips head screws and the famous SEA RAY angle brackets.

An inspection mirror will not help you find them - you'll need an optical probe that attaches to your phone.

To do this job on a 450 you must first remove the salon seat, the cabinet doors above the seat and all the access panels behind the cabinet doors.

You will also need to gain access through the Tambor door factory stereo location as well.



BUT WAIT..... THERE'S MORE !

These panels were clearly pre-assembled off the boat and installed as completed assemblies, just like all those other pre assembled items you find with the last 3 digits of your SERP number scrawled on the back.

Once all those angle brackets are removed, you'll find that plywood panel loose at the top and sides, but not at the bottom.

That's where it's glued/cemented/bonded/fiberglassed/welded.......... whatever... to a tab that is glassed into the inner hull side.
This adhesive needs to be cut to remove that plywood backing - clearly a little bit of overengineering was done here.



Cutting that glue bond will allow the plywood panel holding the aquarium panels to lay back against the inner hullside

(continued on the next post)

Cool find, cool project. Off topic: what was Sea Ray thinking with these things, 1970s disco?

Once that panel has been laid back, removal of the incandescent factory ropelight is really easy:







While that 450 I saw in Baltimore was set up with a remote controlled variable color xmas light setup, I chose to go with the K.I.S.S. principle, a single 12 volt, ice blue, flat rope light, attached to the original fasteners with ty wraps.



I also added a 12 volt rotary dimmer switch



The end result:


The photos do not come anywhere near demonstrating just how much this upgrade changes the interior of the boat, the mood, the feel, I'M NOT KIDDING !!!!!

The dimmer feature is a big plus, making it even more versatile!

The overall effect is truly three dimensional

I have 2.5 FULL DAYS of labor invested in this bending over/be a pretzel project and even after the Jack Daniels wore off, I do swear to y'all it was well worth it.

Now, here's a challenge - for someone who has the factory mirrors to upgrade to a couple of flat screen monitors where you can show a colorful tropical fish tank, or a shark tank or ANYTHING that fits your fancy...

Boy I'd really like to see THAT !

BEST !

RWS

Nice project. I wish I had the aquarium mine are just the boring lights

Maybe A Dancer said:

Once that panel has been laid back, removal of the incandescent factory ropelight is really easy:

View attachment 153002

View attachment 153003

View attachment 153004

While that 450 I saw in Baltimore was set up with a remote controlled variable color xmas light setup, I chose to go with the K.I.S.S. principle, a single 12 volt, ice blue, flat rope light, attached to the original fasteners with ty wraps.

View attachment 153006

I also added a 12 volt rotary dimmer switch

View attachment 153007

The end result:

View attachment 153008
The photos do not come anywhere near demonstrating just how much this upgrade changes the interior of the boat, the mood, the feel, I'M NOT KIDDING !!!!!

The dimmer feature is a big plus, making it even more versatile!

The overall effect is truly three dimensional

I have 2.5 FULL DAYS of labor invested in this bending over/be a pretzel project and even after the Jack Daniels wore off, I do swear to y'all it was well worth it.

Now, here's a challenge - for someone who has the factory mirrors to upgrade to a couple of flat screen monitors where you can show a colorful tropical fish tank, or a shark tank or ANYTHING that fits your fancy...

Boy I'd really like to see THAT !

BEST !

RWS

Click to expand...

Looks really cool and great job on figuring it out

Saverio said:

Nice project. I wish I had the aquarium mine are just the boring lights

Click to expand...

If yours are the standard issue factory mirrors, I'd bet you could easily change them out to something else.

there's all sorts of etched glass available:

https://www.bing.com/shop/productpa...6"+gGlobalOfferIds:"117156859426"&FORM=SHOPIC

======

https://www.krystalglasscompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Carved-Glass-Sailfish.jpg

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https://www.glassmenagerie.net/glass-art/decorative-glass-panels-led-illuminated-etched-glass-art/



Also, I did not go back with phillips head fasteners, used hex head screws and tightened with a 1/4" socket

BEST !

RWS

Was a good project for a hot summer weekend.

Maybe A Dancer said:

If yours are the standard issue factory mirrors, I'd bet you could easily change them out to something else.

there's all sorts of etched glass available:

https://www.bing.com/shop/productpage?q=Phish+Band+Color+Changing+LED+Edge+Lit+Light+Custom+Laser+Etched+Lamp+(Deadhead/Heady)&productpage=true&pdppageoverlay=true&bgscenario=l2&originQuery=etched+glass+lighting&overlayOfferIds=59586510118,84462957807,44923092407,72997398000,104749719247,117156859426,16754323825,45202138433&overlayId=117156859426&filters=PageType:"9"+scenario:"17"+gType:"12"+gId:"117156859426"+gGlobalOfferIds:"117156859426"&FORM=SHOPIC

======

https://www.krystalglasscompany.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Carved-Glass-Sailfish.jpg

=====

https://www.glassmenagerie.net/glass-art/decorative-glass-panels-led-illuminated-etched-glass-art/



Also, I did not go back with phillips head fasteners, used hex head screws and tightened with a 1/4" socket

BEST !

RWS

Click to expand...

Wow
thank you those are cool for a winter project

Besides Ray Smith's RELENTLESS in Essex MD (have no idea what ever happened to that boat) here's another rendition of the aquarium lights.

I do not believe the pattern shown below is factory Sea Ray, as I've seen numerous boats with identical aquarium glass to mine, however I could be wrong.

Here's the photo.

BEST !

RWS